Thanksgiving is coming up, and this holiday is known as a time when many families will pack up their cars and hit the road to visit loved ones. When going for an extended drive, whether your destination is just an hour away or you'll be crossing through multiple states, the first thing on your mind should be safety. It is a good idea to perform a few basic checks and get a tuneup before heading out on the road. This can reduce the risk of encountering a problem en route to Grandma's house and help you and your family have a safe Turkey Day.

"A pre-trip check provides peace of mind, helping reduce the chance of costly car trouble and providing an opportunity to have any repairs performed by one's own trusted technician before hitting the road," said Rich White, executive director for the Car Care Council. "While no inspection can guarantee a car's performance, it's comforting to know proper precautions were taken to ensure a stress-free Thanksgiving road trip."

You should take a look at your fluid levels, and consider getting an oil change if you're about due or you notice any debris in the fluid. You'll also want to top off your coolant and windshield washer fluid if they're getting low. Grab a tire gauge and make sure there is enough air in your tires, inspect the windshield wipers and make sure your lights are all working properly. You should also have a mechanic, such as one of the experts at New Jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center, perform an inspection of the hoses, belts and battery. The mechanic may be able to spot a potential problem and have it fixed up before your trip.

Chevrolet recently partnered with Walt Disney Imagineers to create a brand new version of the classic Test Track ride at Epcot Center in Florida's Walt Disney World Resort. The design teams have been meeting for the past 18 months to develop an experience that not only details the automotive design process but does so with a futuristic influence that makes the ride exciting. There is even an interactive aspect of Test Track that allows guests to create their own designs, which may help Chevrolet engineers come up with the next big thing for the future of the company's image.

"At Chevrolet, the diversity of talent on our team allows us to consistently produce sophisticated, refined and detailed design – but we don't typically design through the eyes of a 12-year-old," said Jeff Mylenek, General Motors' design manager for Global Exhibit and Merchandising Design. "Working with Walt Disney Imagineering, we were inspired to see our brand story from a more youthful perspective and really opened up the parameters on how to approach this design challenge."

The new Test Track allows guests to create their own unique car, crossover or truck with advice from Chevrolet designers to guide them. The vehicle they come up with is then digitized and transformed into the virtual car that drivers guests through the ride. They will encounter concept vehicle displays, speed forms and the architectural elements of creating a new car before getting the chance to take their virtual car for a test drive.

While guests can take home photos of themselves with their concept cars, they won't be able to drive away in a custom ride. However, those looking to purchase vehicles may be able to find the ride of their dreams for an affordable price at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide variety of used makes and models.

Ford offers many pick-up trucks, and while the F-150 may be the most popular truck in America, the Ranger recently received international recognition. The 2013 model was the recipient of the "International Pick-Up Award 2013," marking the third year in a row that Ford has emerged victorious in this competition. The judging panel, which was made up of journalists from around the world, rated a number of pick-up trucks with a point system, and the Ranger was the clear victor.

They chose this truck as the top model for its high performance both on and off the road. The judges also touted the Ranger's engine offerings, towing capacity and safety, as the new model can be combined with a 4×2 or a 4×4 Duratorq TDCi engine, which are both powerful and economical. This truck beat out the second-place Isuzu D-Max and third-place Volkswagen Amarok. Their combined points did not even add up the the 47 points the Ranger got from the judges.

"The Ranger is great for work and great for leisure, and customers will appreciate the difference as soon as they get behind the wheel," said Paul Randle, vehicle line director for Ford of Europe's Global Commercial Vehicles. "This prestigious award is testament to the work of our global product teams, and there is plenty more to look forward to with the launch of the all-new Transit and all-new Transit Connect in 2013."

The Ranger has been an integral part of Ford's pick-up family for many years, so those in the market for a truck may want to check out used models. New Jersey State Auto Auction carries a wide selection of cars and trucks, so car shoppers in the New York/New Jersey area may be able to find the Ranger they're looking for at the lot, which is conveniently located in Jersey City.

As we grow older, we begin to experience a decline in certain functions, including hearing vision and reaction time, and these things can begin to affect our ability to drive. Certain health conditions, including glaucoma, can speed up the process and make it unsafe for us to operate vehicles. Glaucoma affects peripheral vision and may eventually lead to blindness. While glaucoma patients retain their central vision, the peripheral field is essential to safe driving, and researchers from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine in Sendai, Japan, recently examined just how much of an affect the illness can have on an individual's driving ability.

For the study, the researchers had two groups of 36 people use driving simulators. The individuals in one group had normal vision, while those in the other were diagnosed with advanced glaucoma. Glaucoma drivers were found to be twice as likely to get into collisions as the other group.

"To help ensure everyone's safety on our roadways, we would like to create mandatory vision testing guidelines for glaucoma patients," said Dr. Shiho Kunimatsu-Sanuki, lead author of the study. "We now know that integrating the visual field test into the requirements for a driver's license could save lives."

It is important for people to take their health seriously, especially when it comes to how a certain condition may affect their ability to drive. Those who do not have to give up driving and are in need of a vehicle to get around can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of used makes and models at affordable pricing. Plus, every car on the lot is CARFAX certified, so older drivers won't have to use all of their retirement savings to get behind the wheel of a safe and reliable vehicle.

TrueCar.com monitors the different trends of new car sales, including pricing, forecasting and fuel economy, and the most recent findings indicate not a lot has changed in terms of what buyers want when it comes to fuel usage. The average fuel efficiency of new cars sold in October was about 23.2 MPG, which remained unchanged from September and is up slightly from the same month in 2011 (22.2 MPG).

These findings indicate the direction car shopper leaning in any given month, and it looks as though smaller vehicles are proving to be healthy competition for larger, less fuel-efficient trucks and SUVs. TrueCar.com reports that this time of year typically sees an increase in the sale of larger vehicles, but many drivers are continuing to place emphasis on gas consumption.

"Unseasonably strong demand for small and gas-efficient vehicles balanced what would have otherwise been a drop in overall MPG due to large trucks showing some strength in the marketplace," said Jesse Toprak, senior analyst at TrueCar.com. "We anticipate a relative decline in TrueMPG for the rest of the year, as the larger SUVs and trucks claim a large market share with the weather conditions worsening and end-of-the-year deals creating attractive discounts for these segments."

While this report focuses on new cars, there are plenty of used options available for drivers looking to purchase previously-owned models. There are even alternative fuel options, such as the Toyota Prius, which has an electric as well as a gas-powered engine to reduce fuel consumption and help drivers save at the pump. New Jersey State Auto Auction features a wide selection of makes and models, so whether car shoppers are searching for fuel-efficient rides or they would prefer something bigger that may not get as many miles to the gallon, the dealer is sure to have something to suit their needs.

While it's obvious that driving drunk or texting behind the wheel are extremely dangerous for motorists, there are other behaviors that put them at risk of crashing that may not be as well-known but are just as risky. One such behavior is driving while drowsy, which can result in similar symptoms as drunk driving. A 2010 AAA Foundation study found that drowsy drivers were involved in as many as one in six fatal accidents.

While people across all age groups have admitted to getting behind the wheel when they were tired, younger drivers are more likely to engage in this risky driving behavior. In fact, recent research conducted by AAA found that approximately one in seven motorists between 16 and 24 have nodded off behind the wheel in the past year. When looking at all drivers, this rate dropped to one in 10.

"Research shows that fatigue impairs safe driving, with many symptoms causing drivers to behave in ways similar to those who are intoxicated," said AAA President and CEO Robert Darbelnet. "In preparation for the holiday driving season and with many young drivers heading home for Thanksgiving break, AAA is drawing attention to this often overlooked crash risk that is a serious threat to everyone's safety on the road."

Driving while tired can make it difficult to keep one's eyes open, and an individual may also drift into other lanes or off the road if they are struggling to stay awake while operating a vehicle. When you're sleepy behind the wheel, it can be easy for the mind to wander, which makes it difficult to pay attention to the road and signs.

In order to stay safe on the road, drivers should make sure to get plenty of rest before a long trip, bring a friend to take turns if possible and take breaks to stretch out or even nap. Getting a tuneup before a long drive can also reduce the risk of a crash, and the experts at New Jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center can perform routine maintenance and address necessary repairs.